Work

Observational evidence of the association between aerosol properties and lightning characteristics in the Indian subcontinent

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Lightning is a leading cause of natural disaster-related mortality in the Indian Subcontinent. Currently, there is a lack of observational evidence supporting the role of aerosol composition in modulating lightning intensity and trends in this region. In this study, we analyzed satellite and reanalysis datasets to examine the association between aerosol properties and lightning intensity over three contrasting geographic regions of Indian subcontinent during the premonsoon season (1998–2022). By comparing lightning and non-lightning days, we found a 0.1 unit increase in total aerosol optical depth specifically on lightning days in all three study areas. Additionally, we observed that the aerosol composition of a region influences convective activity. The presence of dust alongside fine aerosols acts as efficient ice nuclei, thereby stimulating lightning activity in all three regions. Therefore, considering aerosol composition together with local meteorology is essential for accurately predicting lightning flash rates in a region.

Source: Environmental Research Communications

DOI: 10.1088/2515-7620/ad7ddb

Authors: Subhojit Ghoshal Chowdhury, Dilip Ganguly, Sagnik Dey

Institutions: Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Korea University

Language: English

Topic: Lightning and Electromagnetic Phenomena

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,895